Text size: increase text sizedecrease text size
From AM New York

Zumba puts pizzazz in your exercise

By Daisy Carrington, amNewYork Deputy Features Editor | daisy.carrington@am-ny.com
August 21, 2007

I don't know about you, but this soggy, end-of-summer weather is making me crave a little spice, and not the kind you eat. After all, why pack on pounds with guacamole when you can shed them dancing salsa? And if you like your salsa with a little extra pizzazz, then you should definitely upgrade to Zumba, an intensive, Latin dance workout.

"The benefit of Zumba is that it's fun," says Lisa Eskenazi, an instructor at Midtown gym Smart Workout. "The music and choreography is so vivacious, it's easy to forget you're working out." Eskenazi has devised a fun, full-body workout plan incorporating many elements of South American dance.

Mernegue basic
Bend your knees toward each other so they are kissing. Alternate stepping from your right foot to your left foot while simultaneously swinging your arms from side to side. This move works your obliques and abdominals, as well as your hips, glutes and hamstring muscles.

Cumbia ball and chain
Take four quick steps to the right. Step out with your right foot while dragging your left foot. Raise your arms so that they're parallel to the floor, bending your one arm at the elbow while the other is extended. While you step, switch the movement between your arms. This exercise works your shoulders, back, hips and thighs.

Salsa clap
Step back with your right foot and keep your arms bent. While pulling back, clap and switch to the left foot. This move woks your triceps, biceps, shoulders chest and calves.

Related topic galleries: Dance, Physical Fitness

Get breaking news | Most popular stories | Dining and Travel deals all via e-mail!

Copyright © 2008, AM New York

Long Island's Top Doctors

New feature helps Long Island consumers choose physicians in a variety of medical specialties. Fill in at least one field to perform your search.
Advanced search
How they were chosen
 
State 
Specialty: 
Hospital: 
 

Special Sections


  • Top Doctors

  • Halloween

  • Green
How are they Chosen?

CHOOSING:
Plastic Surgeons | Oncologists | Orthopedists | Primary Care Physician | Pediatrician

Halloween on Long Island

U-pick pumpkins, haunted houses, corn mazes, video and much more.

Upload your costume photos | Paint a pumpkin


Ebay for the socially conscious

New WorldofGood.com site launches.

Green news photos | The Green Presidential Quiz | Live Green


Photos & Entertainment

Long Island Data

Databases
 DJIANASDAQSPX
Find Stock Quotes

Newsday.com to go

Now you can add Newsday.com headlines to your blog or favorite social networking sites:
Facebook
MySpace
iGoogle
 Typepad
Blogger
More applications
Now you can follow Newsday.com on Twitter.

New York City